Failed Plan, Simple Prayer
I have a tendency to be a planner. I get comfort from having a “to do” list and seeing items or tasks being checked off. For me, a simple mental check list helps me feel like I am getting things done. And honestly, there’s nothing really wrong with approaching life this way. The argument can be made that it is an efficient approach to projects. There is a lot of truth in the old saying, “fail to plan, plan to fail”.
Where I get hung up is when things don’t go the way I have it listed on my checklist; I get bummed out. I begin to see things as “failures”. If things don’t go exactly as I planned, how could there be success?
As my well thought out and seemingly flawless plan begins to unravel and go sideways, the “what if game” begins to dance around in my mind. What if? What if I had worked harder? What if I had focused more clearly and seen that coming? Then doubt rears its ugly head. What happened to your plan? What will they think? These two little words, what if, can quickly have me spiraling out of control and tie me in a knot of worry.
I have come to realize having a plan and working hard towards accomplishing a plan are not bad ideas. They are wise ways to approach life. BUT, (there is always a but) my plan cannot take priority over God’s plan. We know from Isaiah that God does not think the way we do. And the way He works is not the way we work. (Isaiah 55:8)
When I loose sight of Jesus in all my planning and doing that is when worry and doubt creep in to my mind. I am convinced that Satan uses these “failures and what ifs” as places to attack. This is the point when calling out to God is the only option. It has to be our next thought our prayer.
By calling out to God, we, you and I, get out of the way and allow Jesus to fight for us. We cannot forget, that as followers of Jesus, we have the power of Christ living inside of us. This shift is huge. We move from worried victim to fighting warrior. By shifting my view of the “failed plan” and allowing Jesus to do His thing, miracles begin to flash into focus. My humble prayer has called the King of Angel Armies into the situation.
A few days ago, I found myself right in the middle of this worry and doubt filled battle. Once a week I help lead a recovery focused Bible study in a local prison. Nothing was really going like I had planned and I had let worry take over my thoughts. Because of this, honestly,I did not want to participate in this meeting. My insides were in a knot and I could feel myself wanting to just run and hide. I sat down knowing I had a choice. I can go hide or I can cry out to Jesus and fight.
Friends, some of the biggest spiritual battles you and I will ever fight are fought sitting quietly with Jesus. When I put my pride and ego down and simply said, “God I need you right now”. The flood gates opened and Jesus was in the room with me. I got out of the way and let Jesus take over!
My prayer is when worry and doubt come, we remember Jesus words regarding worrying. Worrying does not add anything to our lives (Matthew 6:25-26). And Paul reminds us to not worry but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6-7).